North Melbourne building toward something special in AFLW finals

The Tassie Kangaroos are primed for their AFLW finals blockbuster against Collingwood.

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A FINALS-like performance in a one-point win over Fremantle last week was the perfect preparation to face Collingwood in their AFLW qualifying final at Victoria Park, says Kangaroos coach Darren Crocker.

North Melbourne enters the finals after a checkered lead-up – an 11-point win over the Bulldogs, a 15-point loss to Brisbane and a thriller against another qualifying finalist, Fremantle.

Crocker feels his Kangas are coming good at the right time.

“It was a tough game against Fremantle with a lot of contests, a lot of tackling, and it will hold us in good stead for this week,” Crocker said.

“Our last four rounds of football, even though we got beaten by Brisbane, have been pretty strong.

“A lot of the concepts we have been putting in place since preseason have come together more.

AFLW North players L to R Mia King and Kaitlyn Ashmore with the Kangaroos indigenous jumper. It's the first time there's been a round to celebrate indigenous culture in the AFLW. Please put a hold on the photo as it will run in Friday paper with a story. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“It’s a matter now of whether it can hold up under finals pressure, but it held up pretty well against Freo.”

The Kangas have limited finals experienced.

“A lot of the girls played in the first final last year when they beat Collingwood by two points,” Crocker said.

“Then the season got pulled [COVID-19].

“Other than that, the girls haven’t played finals.

Sophie Conway of the Lions attempts to break away from the defence of Nicole Bresnehan of the Kangaroos during the round eight AFLW match between the Brisbane Lions and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at The Gabba on March 20, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“The year before it was the conference system and they missed out on getting through to the finals series of the two conferences.”

Daria Bannister of the Kangaroos is tackled by Matilda Sergeant of the Dockers during the round 9 AFLW match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Fremantle Dockers at Arden Street Ground on March 27, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Tasmanian players Ellie Gavalas, Nicole Bresnehan, Mia King and Daria Bannister have been a key part of the Kangaroos’ success.

“They have been really important,” Crocker said.

“The growth in their individual games has allowed them to become more and more important to us.”